The year 2020 has really been unprecedented. A friend asked, “How can one explain how God allows suffering if he were a good god?” There are much more difficult questions, legitimate though. Perhaps even more questions than answers. A cutting reply like “Let God be god!” though valid wouldn’t suffice.
To begin with, our perception and understanding is different from that of God and may adversely affect our interpretation of his goodness. Consider, at least, 3 ways we differ: Time Frame, Spatial Perception, and Compartmentalized Thinking.
Time Frame. Our concept of time is linear. With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.1 To help us, God makes the effort to reveal himself even through metaphors like the Greek alphabet—the Alpha and the Omega;2 that we may know him as the beginning and the end. Yet, he existed even before the beginning of time3 and he has no end; God shall exist until eternity—he is the Everlasting God.4 He knows the beginning up to the end. There is none like [God], declaring the end from the beginning.5
Spatial Perception. We understand space in terms of 1, 2, or 3 dimensions; e.g., a dot, a line, or having an x-y-z plane. Not so with God. He is all encompassing.6 Perhaps a drum of sea water sank to the bottom of the sea floor would help us picture it. The drum contains the sea water; likewise, the drum is in the sea.
Compartmentalized Thinking. Particularly for men, we think in compartments. We can focus on one task at a time (women have the uncanny ability to multi-task, and think of unrelated things at the same time). Stretching it, we think everything must revolve around us. Not so with God. He is unified. There is only one God.7 Yes, 3 persons yet One. By his goodness,8 God allowed partial revelations of his facets or character through His various Names in the Bible. God is love.9 He is not merely loving, he is love. Likewise, among others, he is merciful;10 he is just;11 he is holy.12 God doesn’t have to do; he is. Time, space, foreknowledge all work for him. He cannot contradict his character. Has he said, and will he not do it?13
Having laid out at least 3 differences between man and God, hopefully, helps us better understand the “why?” The Psalmist simply declares, “How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O LORD, are on high forever. For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.”14
Notes:
1. 2 Peter 3:8
2. Revelations 21:6
3. John 1:1-2
4. Genesis 21:33
5. Isaiah 46:10
6. Psalm 139:7-12
7. Deuteronomy 6:4
8. Nahum 1:7
9. 1 John 4:8
10. Deuteronomy 4:31
11. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8
12. Leviticus 11:44
13. Numbers 23 19
14. Psalm 92:5-9
